Goals:
weekend driver, no racing intentions, I'm more interested in driving winding roads but would like some off the line performance.
325-350 hp
350 minimum torque (I do understand that this is a 327 and not a 383)
$ 2500 to $ 3000 budget (hopefully including machine work)

Intend to replace:
Cam
heads
pistons
and other required items for a rebuild

I am pretty set on keeping this block as long as it checks outs and would like recommendations for heads and cam replacement. I am willing to consider aluminum or cast iron heads, weight is not a real concern to me, also what kind of intake flow values should i be looking at for the heads? (I have looked though previous posts and have a basic understanding of high vs low flowing heads, so thinking on the lower end, just not quite sure what target should be.)
I plan on lowering the compression of the engine to be pump gas friendly (91 max octane in California). I'm assuming that this would be accomplished through different pistons. (present pistons are the 11:1 comp. l79 327 sbc). If my goals are unrealistic please let me know and your help is appreciated.

i to am doing a 327.useing 10.5 trw pistons and a melling mtc-1 cam,1500-4500 rpm range,thinking of useing tbi heads because of unleaded gas.my friend who is very experianced at engine building says they work great.i have an 82 cutlas calaise with air ,cruise etc

I think if I were in your shoes, I'd do some Vortec heads and probably a Vortec Performer intake, with flat top pistons: 9.7 to 10.5 compression (depending on deck height and specific piston part number), will run on on pump gas, GREAT lower end torque and hp on up to 5500 rpm, (slightly more or less, depending on intake and cam choice).

Properly prepared vortec heads would work well or there are plenty of
aftermarket choices. Runner and chamber volume are critical. Intake runner
volume in the 170 - 180 cc range. Set up the piston to head clearance near
0.040", use combustion chamber volume to achieve the desired compression
ratio.

i'd sell what you have and buy a complete vortec 350 to rebuild. it'll be cheaper make more power and last longer. you can get over 400 ftlbs out of that for half the cost of your 327. if you're not worried about numbers matching its the best bang for the buck.

i agree with everyone here, vortecs or i prefer aftermarket vortec style heads, especially the RHS 170 pro torkers, they out perform the origianal vortecs and are not prone to cracking like the original vortecs. the intake would have to be vortec compatable, they are close to the same price as regular style intakes. however i wouldn't go with flat top pistons as with a 64-65cc combustion chamber would give you a low to mid 10:1 CR i would likely try to stay closer to 9.5:1 for a only street vehicle.

making 325-350hp out of a 327 will be easy due to the fact that 327's like RPM's 350tq is still very possible.

as far as head flow i would look for a head that flows 240+@ .500" lift and has a good consistante increase from .300" lift up, stock vortecs will fall slightly short of this but not by much, but the RHS 170 heads will be right on the money

i agree with everyone here, vortecs or i prefer aftermarket vortec style heads, especially the RHS 170 pro torkers, they out perform the origianal vortecs and are not prone to cracking like the original vortecs. the intake would have to be vortec compatable, they are close to the same price as regular style intakes. however i wouldn't go with flat top pistons as with a 64-65cc combustion chamber would give you a low to mid 10:1 CR i would likely try to stay closer to 9.5:1 for a only street vehicle.

making 325-350hp out of a 327 will be easy due to the fact that 327's like RPM's 350tq is still very possible.

as far as head flow i would look for a head that flows 240+@ .500" lift and has a good consistante increase from .300" lift up, stock vortecs will fall slightly short of this but not by much, but the RHS 170 heads will be right on the money

my87Z is right about the flow numbers, 240@ 0.500" would make great power
at the top of the RPM range of the 327. Accomplish this with a small port
volume to assure good port velocity. These engines are fun to drive with the
light weight steel crank they love RPM. With mine I run a solid lifter flat
tappet cam and let it spin.

Quote:

Originally Posted by my87Z

...as far as head flow i would look for a head that flows 240+@ .500" lift

Goals:
weekend driver, no racing intentions, I'm more interested in driving winding roads but would like some off the line performance.
325-350 hp
350 minimum torque (I do understand that this is a 327 and not a 383)
$ 2500 to $ 3000 budget (hopefully including machine work)

I am pretty set on keeping this block as long as it checks outs and would like recommendations for heads and cam replacement. I plan on lowering the compression of the engine to be pump gas friendly (91 max octane in California). If my goals are unrealistic please let me know and your help is appreciated.

If the car is beyond restoring then what's the big attraction of keeping that engine in it? What you've described is the GM 350 HO crate motor. 330HP @ 5000 RPM and 380 Ft.Lbs. @ 3800, 9.1 to 1 compression, hydraulic cam, Vortec heads and aluminum intake for about $2800.00. Put the 327 under the bench for "someday", drop a 350 HO in it and go. Just my $.02.

Last edited by Hippie; 01-03-2010 at 02:38 PM.
Reason: Internet info was incorrect on cam type.

.030" over for a classic 331cid. with flat top pistons with 5cc valve reliefs, Vortec heads, Performer RPM, Comp 268HE cam, a 600cfm carb with small tube headers. On DD2000 it makes "roughly" 374FWHP @ 5500 and 391FWTQ @ 4500. Good low end TQ and compression is 9.5 to 1, DCR about 7.6 so it should run on 89 Octane, 91 no sweat. In a light car with a 4 speed and 4.11's it would be an absolute blast and have a bit of a "racy" idle but decent manners.

You'll have to get a different intake but you won't have any trouble selling the ZZ4 intake.

.030" over for a classic 331cid. with flat top pistons with 5cc valve reliefs,
Vortec heads, Performer RPM, Comp 268HE cam, a 600cfm carb with small
tube headers.

I'm thinking more along the lines of porting the Vortec heads, a Comp XS274S
cam. Same flat top pistons with a smaller combustion chamber for a little
more compression. Weiand single plane with a 750 double pumper. Up grade
the connecting rods and swap the 4:11's for a 4.56 and spin it to 7200. Now
we are talking fun to drive.

Register Now

In order to be able to post messages on the Hot Rod Forum : Hotrodders Bulletin Board forums, you must first register.
Please enter your desired user name (usually not your first and last name), your email address and other required details in the form below.

User Name:

Password

Please enter a password for your user account. Note that passwords are case-sensitive.

Password:

Confirm Password:

Email Address

Please enter a valid email address for yourself.

Email Address:

Insurance

Please select your insurance company (Optional)

Log-in

User Name

Remember Me?

Password

Human Verification

In order to verify that you are a human and not a spam bot, please enter the answer into the following box below based on the instructions contained in the graphic.